*Chapter 35: Welt: Divine Key Senior, This Move is Too Ruthless ! Welt Junior Can't Take It !*

After a brief silence, Silver Wolf looked up.

"Huh?"

Silver Wolf tried to understand the sudden invitation, her tone filled with bewilderment and confusion. "Anime? What anime?"

Are you kidding me?
Why suddenly ask me about making anime?
And that look... like looking at rare materials synthesized in a game...

Silver Wolf instinctively felt a trace of vigilance, even more so than when facing Herta. Herta's malice was straightforward, but this Welt Yang before her... hm...

Well, can't judge a book by its cover. Although he looks kind, maybe he's secretly a god-like person who can climb out of the ground after dying.

Welt Yang gently lowered the hand pushing his glasses. The gaze behind the lenses seemed to soften slightly, replaced by a near-reminiscent calmness.

"Ah... regarding the topic of games..."
He began, his voice still steady, but listening closely, it seemed to hold less scrutiny than before.

"...Don't worry too much. Seeing you just reminded me of some old acquaintances."
He didn't elaborate further.

It had to be said, humans are visual creatures.
So similar, so alike.
Because of the resemblance to Bronya, even knowing Silver Wolf was a Stellaron Hunter, he held little malice towards her.

Actually, after meeting Himeko, Bronya Rand, and seeing Silver Wolf's wanted poster, Welt had pondered a question:
Is this world actually just a giant sequel?
Then which one is the prequel?

That's unknown. Maybe it's named after the two words 'Honkai Impact'. After all, everything he did before coming here was fighting against the Honkai.

"That's enough joking around," Welt's tone returned to its usual gentleness as he collected himself, his gaze falling back onto Silver Wolf.

"So, what is the situation here?"
He really had to wonder.

It was common knowledge that Voidrangers had invaded the space station not long ago. While uncertain if it was coincidence or intentional, Welt heard the station happened to be containing a Stellaron at that time.

Herta said the Stellaron was sealed inside Stelle. Although the Stellaron Hunters seemed absent throughout the incident, Welt subconsciously felt they must be involved.

And even if they weren't, Herta at the space station wouldn't just let Silver Wolf swagger from the station onto the Express for no reason.

"Herta knows about this... the situation is a bit complicated," Jiang Liang explained.

He concealed the details of Silver Wolf's defeat, replacing the Key of Erosion's control ability with the explanation that they held leverage over Silver Wolf. Although Welt was curious what leverage could make a Stellaron Hunter so obedient, he chose not to ask.

Old people need to have... no, adults need to have an adult sense of distance.

"...As I said, Silver Wolf won't cause trouble here on the train. If worst comes to worst, just hang her on a coat rack. She's so small anyway," Jiang Liang concluded.

"Hey !" Silver Wolf protested weakly.

Welt saw Silver Wolf's minor protest. He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully.

"The Express is willing to provide a temporary place to stay. Of course, the train has its rules. Since you chose to bring her here, you must have chosen to trust her. I have no reason not to trust someone trusted by a companion."

He didn't specify the rules, just looked calmly at Silver Wolf, finally nodding. "Come in first. Some things aren't convenient to discuss in the corridor."

Silver Wolf looked at Jiang Liang entering the train. Her arms, crossed over her chest, didn't fully relax, but her tense posture eased slightly. In the end, she silently followed Welt's steps.

Hmph. Just treat it as a new side quest dungeon.

As soon as Jiang Liang led Silver Wolf into the main car of the Express, warm, soft light enveloped them. The rich aroma characteristic of coffee filled the air – unclear if brewed by Pom-Pom or Himeko. Returning to the familiar atmosphere of the train was reassuring.

"Boss !"

A small pink figure flew over from the sofa area at high speed, accurately crashing into Jiang Liang's embrace.

"Boss ! You're back !"
It was Higokumaru. Her fluffy little head rubbed against his chest, her tone filled with the excitement and joy of seeing her long-lost master. She completely failed to notice the silver-haired girl emitting a 'stay away' aura beside him.
Or rather, she noticed but didn't care.

Immediately after, another, more familiar figure walked quickly from the sofa, pink braids swaying gently with her movement.

"You're back, Stelle !"
March 7th's voice held its usual cheerfulness, her face lit with a bright smile upon seeing her companion return.

However, when her gaze passed over Jiang Liang and landed on Silver Wolf standing behind him, arms crossed, expressionless, her smile instantly froze.

Wait.
Who is this?
Why does she look kinda familiar?

Her beautiful ice-blue eyes widened abruptly, pupils contracting in shock. Her voice suddenly rose, filled with disbelief and intense suspicion.

"Wait !"

She took a sharp step back, her right hand subconsciously lifting, finger pointing straight at Silver Wolf, her voice changing pitch.
"Isn't... isn't that the Stellaron Hunter? ! That hacker? !"

March 7th's gaze darted rapidly between Jiang Liang and Silver Wolf, the color draining from her face, replaced by pallor and deep confusion and unease.

"Y-You... how did you bring her back? !"
Although she knew this guy was reckless, this was too reckless !
Wasn't Herta at the space station? ! Didn't she do anything? !

Before she finished speaking, Dan Heng, who had been quietly sitting on a single sofa reading documents on the other side of the car, and Himeko, standing by the coffee bar wiping a siphon pot, both looked up simultaneously.

Pom-Pom, upon seeing Silver Wolf, immediately ducked behind the counter.

No words were needed.
The instinctive reaction to a companion facing a threat was already ingrained in their bones.

Dan Heng moved almost imperceptibly.
He stood up, subtly shifting half a step forward and sideways, his center of gravity lowering slightly, body tensing, poised to erupt with astonishing speed and power at any moment.

Himeko, however, observed. Seeing the calm expression on Welt's face and nothing unusual on Jiang Liang's, she seemed to understand something.

Now, this is more like it ! Silver Wolf thought with a small smirk.
That Stelle attacked me directly on sight, and that Welt guy earlier seemed kinda happy...
Like looking at some rare character card... that reaction wasn't normal at all.
This reaction is more interesting !
Panic, fear, anger, vigilance... now that's more like it !

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping with interest over the bristling March 7th, then sliding past Dan Heng standing guard like facing a formidable enemy, finally landing on Himeko.

Heh. The Nameless have quite diverse reaction samples.
The curve of her lips seemed to deepen, carrying an almost mischievous, spectating mockery.

Then, a hand gently landed on her shoulder. Silver Wolf subconsciously looked back to find Jiang Liang's face slowly leaning closer.

"Greet your older brother, older sisters, and big sister. You need to address them. That one is March 7th, that's Dan Heng, this is Big Sis Himeko."

Address them?
You want me, a Stellaron Hunter with a bounty worth billions of credits, to obediently address them?
Is that possible?
She never even called Kafka 'sis' or Blade 'bro' ! Didn't she always call them by name?

"...Big Sis March 7th... Big Bro Dan Heng... Big Sis Himeko."
Silver Wolf lowered her head, the toe of her boot scuffing the floor of the car.

But then again...
This is also an extremely novel segment. Building a good relationship with key characters in the dungeon might lead to clearing it?
Right, that must be it.

As the people on the train stared blankly because Silver Wolf actually complied obediently, Higokumaru, as if drawn by something invisible, floated out of Jiang Liang's arms and drifted, somewhat confusedly, towards Silver Wolf.

She flew around Silver Wolf twice, her small nose twitching, as if trying hard to identify some scent.

"Hmm?" Higokumaru tilted her small head, making an unintelligible monosyllabic sound.

Then, as if finally confirming something, Higokumaru abruptly stopped in front of Silver Wolf, her tone instantly becoming incredibly excited. "Ah ! This smell ! I know it ! I've smelled it before !"

No one understood what she was saying.
Smell? What smell?

"It's the smell of Jizo Mitama ! Boss, is she like me? !"
Higokumaru's clear and excited voice rang out.

The smell on Silver Wolf reminded her of herself back in Yae Village. She subconsciously saw Silver Wolf as one of her own kind.
It was the same smell as on herself.

"Jizo Mitama?" March 7th repeated blankly, her beautiful ice-blue eyes filled with huge question marks. "Higokumaru, what's that?"

However, not everyone was as clueless as March 7th.

The moment Welt heard "Jizo Mitama," the eyes behind his lenses started experiencing an earthquake.

Wait... what? !
Judgment of Shamash is one thing... oh, that can't be counted... the others are one thing... how did Jizo Mitama appear too? !

Alright, alright, I get it ! One’s out there wielding Judgment of Shamash while pulling off Gun Kata, another’s got Jizo Mitama paired with a tachi like they’re ready to go full Dragon Slayer mode… but when’s someone gonna show up holding the Core of Reason, messing around with Project Bunny?
Oh—
Wait.
Looks like that one already exists.

Welt's emotions were very complex now. Shock, astonishment at something exceeding expectations, but deeper down, there seemed to lurk a trace of... how to put it... excitement, almost like discovering a comrade.

Yes, excitement.
Although the emotion was fiercely suppressed beneath an iceberg, only letting out imperceptible ripples.

He knew of Jizo Mitama, just not the details. Hearing the name now immediately brought back memories.
Jizo Mitama... the Anti-Honkai weapon made from the Herrscher Core of the Herrscher of Corruption... currently properly stored by Schicksal.

Most of his excitement wasn't actually from seeing a familiar old item, but from verifying his own guess.
His guess was correct !

Let me ask you... Judgment of Shamash and Jizo Mitama have both appeared... then the Great Seal... no, then is the Second Divine Key, Cosmic Juggernaut, still far away? !

Decided !
Before I go back, Stelle MUST stay on the train !
But here's the problem... how to make her willing to continue the Trailblazing journey with us? Even if not continuously, how to ensure Stelle maintains contact, so we can chat amicably when we meet again in the future?

Eh?
He has an idea !
As everyone knows, where there are people, there is Jianghu [the world of martial arts/underworld ], there are human relationships and worldly wisdom. If I do a few favors, won't the human relationships be established?
Sorry, I really want to go home...

Thinking this, Welt stepped forward and began to explain.

He repeated Jiang Liang's previous explanation verbatim. The others in the car went from shock, to doubting Silver Wolf, and finally to confusion about the whole situation.

Really?
What kind of earth-shattering leverage must they have to make a Stellaron Hunter obediently behave like a good child calling people 'brother' and 'sister'?

Tsk. Boring. Silver Wolf was a bit dissatisfied internally.
What the heck? Weren't you guys acting like you were about to fight just now?
Why did you suddenly stop being afraid of me just because someone explained?
You trust your companion that much?

A rare expression close to annoyance flickered across her usually expressionless, tense face.
I'm a Stellaron Hunter, hey ! Just because she says she has leverage on me, she really does?

She even pouted slightly in frustration. She had been looking forward to some chaos, or at least seeing a more intense and interesting reaction from these Nameless. Why did it suddenly turn into an internal inquiry?
Leaving her hanging like this, what's that about?

Silver Wolf, originating from Punklorde, felt a bit restless.
She was like modern netizens: unfazed by disgusting trash and darkness's cruelty, but starting to feel annoyed, even repulsed, upon encountering sunshine and love.
Like a vampire.

Just as Silver Wolf was inwardly complaining, finding the group's reaction increasingly dull, a pink figure suddenly approached.
It was March 7th.

March 7th looked at Silver Wolf, took a deep breath.

To everyone's surprise, especially Silver Wolf's – March 7th, whose face was pale with fright just moments ago – now actually mustered the courage to walk up to Silver Wolf's side.

She first glanced cautiously at Silver Wolf, then at Jiang Liang, finally fixing her gaze on Silver Wolf as if having made a momentous decision.

Then, she reached out and gently, tentatively patted Silver Wolf's shoulder.

Silver Wolf: " ! ! !"
Her eyes jolted from the sudden physical contact, her body instinctively tensing for a moment.

Okay ! No problem !
Seeing Silver Wolf only react slightly without violently shrugging her off, March 7th also breathed a sigh of relief.

She flashed a big smile, a bit strained but trying hard to appear sincere, her tone becoming light again, though a trace of residual nervousness could still be heard if one listened closely.

"Alright, alright !"
March 7th announced in a tone declaring grand reconciliation, "Since Stelle said so, and Mr. Welt also thinks it's okay, let's not just stand here !"

She patted Silver Wolf's shoulder again, as if sending some kind of friendly signal.
"From now on, we're passengers riding the train together ! Right?"
March 7th tilted her small face up, her pinkish-blue eyes sparkling, looking at Silver Wolf, trying hard to send 'we are partners' signals.

Silver Wolf's expression instantly became extremely strange.
It was a complex mix of bewilderment, disbelief, disdain, and even a hint of incredulity. She looked at March 7th's hand on her shoulder, then at the forced smile on the other girl's face.

Ha ! Passengers? ! Who's a passenger with you? !
But looking into March 7th's clear eyes, earnestly radiating goodwill, the mockery and refusal on the tip of Silver Wolf's tongue somehow got stuck again.

She stiffly averted her gaze, avoiding March 7th's eyes, and vaguely, awkwardly squeezed a single word from her throat:
"...Fine."
The sound was almost inaudible, tinged with reluctance and awkwardness.

This truly bizarre scene instantly made the previously tense atmosphere in the Parlor Car somewhat subtle.

"March is always so unexpected," Dan Heng thought. His tense body relaxed slightly, but his gaze never fully left Silver Wolf.

Hmph ! It's not like I'm willing to stay here !
Also, there's definitely something about this guy I can't figure out... otherwise, who would obediently stand here like an exhibit being inspected? ! Damn guy !
Silver Wolf's inner thoughts were naturally unknowable.

But this facade of compliance did nothing to lessen the vigilance in Dan Heng's heart.

"I still think it's not right. Stellaron Hunters are dangerous. No one can guarantee she won't suddenly attack us."
While March 7th chose acceptance, Dan Heng's reaction was the complete opposite.

Just how dangerous Stellaron Hunters were could be seen from the IPC bounties alone.
For the sake of the train, which was already a sanctuary in his heart, Dan Heng was unwilling to take risks. He pressed his lips tightly.
He wouldn't risk even a one percent chance.

"In that case, since it involves the train's safety and a new member, even a temporary one, let's decide by vote as per convention," Himeko spoke up. Her proposal was concise and clear: voting disperses the decision-making power.

"Then let's start voting," March 7th asked tentatively. Seeing everyone nod, the voting began. "Those who agree to let this Silver Wolf stay on the train, please raise your hand."

Welt, Jiang Liang (controlling Stelle), and Himeko raised their hands.

Pom-Pom abstained.
When Dan Heng looked at Pom-Pom with some surprise, Pom-Pom poked its head out from behind the counter. "Although no one says it, the Conductor's vote makes everyone act contrary to their hearts, Pom ! So, the Conductor chooses to abstain this time !"

The voting result was set.
Three to one.
The 'yes' votes overwhelmingly passed, allowing Silver Wolf to temporarily stay on the Astral Express.
Dan Heng was the only one who voted against.

The tension in the air didn't completely dissipate with the end of the vote.

"My choice stems from caution," Dan Heng stated, his gaze lingering on Silver Wolf for a moment.
Silver Wolf glared back impolitely.

Very normal. Dan Heng is also concerned about the train's safety.
Himeko elegantly held a coffee cup from which the dark brown liquid emitted an aroma so intense it made one's scalp tingle. She watched Dan Heng finish speaking, unsurprised by his reaction.

"Then..." Dan Heng started.

"Willingness to follow Akivili's footsteps, to explore the unknown universe, to witness the wonders of the stars – this is the foundation of being Nameless," Himeko interrupted Dan Heng's question, pausing, her gaze sweeping over the familiar furnishings of the car.

"We welcome all kinds of companions, regardless of where they come from or what pasts they have, as long as they are truly willing to travel with us, can behave themselves, respect every member on the train, refrain from actions that trouble or disgust everyone, cherish this connection, and will not disrupt the harmony of the Express."

Her gaze returned to Dan Heng. "Look, don't we all have different origins and stories? But as long as our goals align and we can coexist peacefully, then this is a place for them."
She smiled softly. "Ultimately, we are looking for fellow travelers, partners to blaze the future together."

"So, as long as someone is kind, willing to adventure together, and doesn't cause trouble, they can board the train?" March 7th summarized tentatively, her tone seeking confirmation.

"Kindness is sometimes hard to define, but at the very least, there must be respect and a bottom line. The path of Trailblazing is not smooth. We need partners who can trust each other and fight side-by-side, not troublemakers who bring internal friction and suspicion. Let's allow this Stellaron Hunter to travel with us temporarily, until she causes trouble," Himeko concluded.

Dan Heng pursed his lips. Hearing Himeko's words, thoughts surged in his mind, memories from before boarding the train flashing back constantly.

"...I will keep watching her."
After saying this, Dan Heng sat back down on the sofa and picked up his documents again.

Great !
March 7th showed obvious relief, like an ice crystal shedding an invisible burden, appearing exceptionally clear in the afternoon sun. The subtle upturn of her lips and the fleeting 'as expected' relief in her eyes were all caught by Himeko.

This child really does care about these things.
Himeko watched March 7th's relieved, even slightly lingeringly fearful, cute appearance, the smile at the corners of her lips deepening slightly, her fingers holding the coffee cup elegantly poised.
Indeed, this small train is like a home floating in the boundless universe. Family harmony is always the most important thing.
This is good now. Everyone is here, the atmosphere is comfortable.

March 7th naturally valued this atmosphere the most. Once relaxed, she naturally sighed in relief.

"Then let's go pick a room for the new passenger ! Pom-Pom, what about you? Silver Wolf, want to come along?" March 7th asked brightly.

"Ah... okay," Silver Wolf replied, somewhat bewildered by the sunny and cheerful March 7th. After glancing at the calm-faced Jiang Liang, she finally nodded.

Anyway, can't use Aether Editing, can't send messages out... He must be reassured because of this, right?
'Can't send messages out' didn't mean the network was down, but that the moment she had the thought of sending a distress message, her body would freeze solid, unable to move.
She had considered asking someone else to send a message earlier, but the moment that thought arose, she was immediately hit with the negative status again.
No choice. Her skills were all focused on hacking and reality editing. It wasn't that she didn't want to run, but she truly had no way.

Well, just treat it as experiencing life.
Anyway, she would absolutely not yield.
Thinking this, Silver Wolf followed March 7th, who was waving at her.

Seeing that the matter was more or less resolved satisfactorily, Welt breathed a sigh of relief. Then, he lowered his voice and spoke to Jiang Liang.

“…I never asked anyone for a favor before. But this time… it’s different.”
No choice.
Divine Key Senior's move is too ruthless ! Welt Junior can't take it !
Cute March 7th...

Author’s Note: This chapter is 6,000 characters. Will update another 10,000 characters at 12 AM.
By the way, the unlimited recommendation ticket bounty is still open. After repaying the previous two bounty chapters, haven't even gathered enough for one more. Oh please, vote some more.